The deputy chief inspector of the Transport Ministry was fined Tuesday for parking his car at a prohibited spot.

Nguyen Tien Suc was also summoned to a Hanoi police station and fined VND300,000 (US$16). His Toyota Camry with a white number plate, indicating it was a vehicle owned by ordinary residents, was found parked improperly on Nguyen Van Cu Street.

The police called out for the owner several times before Suc showed up, saying he was at work and had stopped en route for breakfast.

He produced his inspector card when the police asked for the vehicle papers, and asked the police to show their papers, though they were wearing police clothes and driving police cars, police said.

Nguyen Xuan Hao, chief inspector of the ministry, told local newswire Vnexpress he has asked Suc to report on the case to the ministry by 9 a.m. Thursday morning.

"Suc had agreed to pay the fine like any other resident. But he will be punished if it is confirmed that he did produce his inspector card and ask for police cards," Hao said.

Hao said an inspector's card should be produced only when the officials are on a mission.